Police Officer Trainee (Police Academy)

City of Lathrop; Lathrop (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking motivated individuals to embark on a rewarding career in law enforcement. As a Police Officer Trainee, you will undergo a rigorous training program at a POST certified Academy, gaining essential skills in law enforcement techniques, first aid, and physical fitness. This entry-level position offers a unique opportunity to serve and protect the community while preparing for a sworn police officer role. Join a team dedicated to public safety in one of California's fastest-growing cities, where your commitment to excellence will help shape a safer future for all residents.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old and possess a valid CA Class C Driver’s License.
• Able to meet background investigation and medical exam requirements.

Responsibilities

• Attend and participate in a comprehensive training program at the POST certified Academy.
• Learn law enforcement techniques and police procedures.

Skills

Good moral character

Self-motivation

Dependability

Law enforcement techniques

Basic first aid

Physical fitness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

POST certified Basic Academy

Job description

City of Lathrop - Police Officer Trainee

This recruitment is open until filled

First interviews are tentatively scheduled for 12/12/2024

The Position

Are you ready to begin your career in law enforcement? The City of Lathrop Police Department is actively recruiting for Police Officer Trainees. We are looking for individuals who are of good moral character, self-motivated, and dependable to help us provide outstanding public safety services in California’s fastest growing city. The Lathrop Police Department is committed to connecting and partnering with our diverse, supportive community to ensure Lathrop is a safe and desirable place to live, work, and visit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the Police Officer Trainee will attend and participate in a comprehensive training program at a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Basic Academy, maintaining academic and practical standards as required. The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn, trainee-level class in the Police Officer series in which incumbents are expected to learn law enforcement techniques, police procedures, basic first aid, and physical fitness to prepare to perform in the capacity of a sworn police officer.

This is an entry-level position for individuals without prior law enforcement experience or certifications. Police Officer Trainees who satisfactorily complete all of the graduation requirements and obtain approval from the Chief of Police will become eligible for the sworn position of Police Officer.

To review the job functions and the full job description, you can access the following link:
Police Officer TraineeMinimum Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age
• Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License
• Possess a High School Diploma or an equivalent certificate or diploma recognized by the state of California.
• Able to meet statutory and agency requirements regarding background investigation, voice stress analysis or polygraph examination, and medical and psychological exams.
• T-score of 50 or greater on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) dated within one year.
• Passing score on the Physical Agility Test (PAT) dated within one year.

For more information on the PELLETB and PAT requirements and how to sign up, see the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training website:Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy

Basic Training Academy

The individual(s) hired for the trainee position will be enrolled in a full-time, intensive Basic Academy course which satisfies the POST minimum training requirements for California entry-level peace officers. The course typically meets Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., is approximately six months in duration, and is designed for peace officer recruits who can dedicate their full attention and efforts towards completing the program.

After graduating from the Basic Academy, with the Chief of Police’s approval, the individual(s) selected will be reclassified to a sworn Police Officer position. Employment in the Police Officer Trainee classification is contingent upon maintaining enrollment in the POST certified academy for which they are enrolled. Incumbents who fail to maintain enrollment in the POST certified academy for any reason will be released from employment without cause and without the right of appeal.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports and retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading work related documents and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone and face-to-face services. The need to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

About Lathrop

Incorporated in 1989, the City of Lathrop is located in the Northern San Joaquin Valley and sits east and west of the San Joaquin River. Interstate 5, Interstate 205, and State Route 120 intersect within the city. We are located approximately 70 miles east of San Francisco and 70 miles south of Sacramento. Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa Valley, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains are all located within 2 hours of Lathrop.

Lathrop is centrally located within a 30-minute commute of Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Ripon, Lodi, Modesto, and Livermore. Lathrop’s population as of January 1, 2023, reported by the State of California Department of Finance, is 35,080 which represents an 11.1% growth from 2022. Additionally, the City of Lathrop made headlines in2021,2022,2023 and 2024 as one of Northern California’s fastest-growing communities. With the continued growth in the residential communities, our population is anticipated to reach approximately 70,000.

Lathrop Police Department

The City of Lathrop Police Department was established in June 2022. The Department is currently funded with 48 sworn positions and supported by a team of Community Service Officers, Records Unit, Property and Evidence Unit, as well as administrative and budget support staff. Dispatch support is provided through contracted services with the City of Ripon.

For information regarding the recent transition to the Police Department and the Department Divisions, please view the following links:

Lathrop Police Department Transition Page
Police Operations Division
Police Support Division